Balamory is back with incredible new stories to tell

Julie Wilson Nimmo praised the set designers thoroughly, "they clearly love the show" she said.

Equally, she praised the community.

"They’re brilliant," she said.

"Everyone on Mull is so welcoming. When you’re nervous, they’re shouting words of support or showing you photos they have from the original shoot. 

"And the kids are so funny."

Her return as Miss Hoolie was a real homecoming moment. Julie has a love for Mull. She has come back a few times on holiday since the original series of Balamory ended, and last year even had the honour to switch on Tobermory’s Christmas lights. 

Slipping back into the roll, she says, was an absolute joy. 

"Andrew Agnew (PC Plum) said it was like putting on an old pair of jeans again," she said.

"And I agreed! I was like ’why haven’t I been wearing these, they’re so comfortable!’

"I love Miss Hoolie, I get recognised as her every day. And on days when you’re down, or you’ve been passed up on for a role, a kid will say something to their mum and come up to me and I’m immediately cheered up. 

"Even if I have done nothing else, I’ll always have her. I can’t believe I got to step back into her shoes again!"

Parents were equally happy to see Balamory come back.

Christine Hutchison and her daughter Fern, 3, have watched every single episode of the original.

Christine said: "Fern always says we live in Balamory. When we go out to the shops she asks ’are we going into Balamory?’

"She knows all the songs and will sing along to them all. She knows them better than me now!

"I love it, it’s so nostalgic. I saw some familiar faces on there, but it’s more amazing to see the community. 

"Just seeing the town, especially Penny’s and the pier on the screen again, it’s surreal."

Fellow mum Gabbie Fox said: "It’s so nice to see that they involved the local community so much. And then they go to the trouble of coming all the way back and letting us see it first, it’s honestly really great."

The local community was of utmost importance to the show, said founder of Lion Television Richard Bradley. 

He said: "The island is a huge character in itself, and I think people really resonate with that. 

"It’s live action and has a local feel that’s universally loved. Children’s entertainment nowadays is all international animation of video games, so that local feel makes Balamory really special."

The cast and crew are all really hoping to film more episodes soon. But first, the show needs good ratings.

Julie said: "It will be wonderful to come back if we can. The crew, producers and cast are all so lovely, and we all love the show.

"The world’s in a shabby state right now, so we all need our bit of of cheering up and some familiarity, I think Balamory offers just that, it’s like a warm blanket."

Balamory returned on Cbeebies on Monday April 20 at 5pm, with all episodes out on IPlayer at the same time.